Quinn seeks change in bill on Illinois appointees

SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Pat Quinn asked lawmakers Tuesday to change legislation that would force him to make faster decisions on whether to keep or replace key officials.

Quinn used his amendatory veto power to return the bill to the General Assembly with a request that the measure take effect in July for salaried appointments and October for everyone else.

Now lawmakers can accept his change, reject it and pass the original version, or let the bill die.

Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, said the Senate will review the constitutionality of Quinn's proposal.

Directors of state agencies and members of boards and commissions serve for specific terms. But often their terms expire and governors don't replace them or reappoint them. The official simply keeps serving month after month.

A governor also can name someone to a temporary position without submitting the nomination to the state Senate for review.

Cullerton produced a list last fall of nearly 700 state jobs filled by appointed employees whose terms had expired — some as long as 30 years ago. The issue was also brought into the spotlight by the clash over Quinn's pick to run the state police, who was able to serve nearly two years without being confirmed.

The legislation would give a governor 30 days to officially nominate someone to fill such positions.

Quinn said he wants to delay the new rules so he can recruit people for state posts. But he praised the Legislature for passing a bill that would "provide additional transparency and accountability to the executive appointment process."